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I was just sitting here typing away, replying to some posts and threads when I noticed that my typing suddenly sounded very much louder. I could hear a reverberation coming from somewhere but I couldn't work out what it was. It eventually sounded like someone was possibly hammering on the wooden fence
So I walked to the window, and all of the Starlings and Wood Pigeons on the lawn flew off. However, I could still hear this mystery sound. By now, realisation was dawning what it was, so I opened the patio door, went outside, and turned the corner of the house to find my Great Spotted Woodpecker hammering away at the front of my Nestbox.
The culprit earlier this morning:
The target:
The day before yesterday my Blue Tits fledged out of this nestbox, and there wasn't a mark anywhere on it. I couldn't fail to hear that hammering noise no matter where I was in the house, so this damage was done in less than 3 minutes when I was listening to it today.
I wouldn't normally be pleased about scaring off my GSW but today I am. One question eludes me though: wouldn't he know whether there were baby birds in there or not? Surely he wouldn't get a headache for an empty nestbox?
I'm going to have to break the news to my OH that a repair will be necessary.
Best wishes Chris
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Chris,
Maybe the scent attracted the woodpecker in, good job they fledged when they did! You are going to need one of those metal plates over that hole now!
H
Oh Chris, lucky your Blue Tits fledged before she got to work. It's amazing how quickly they can make inroads into wood. I am quite surprised that it got attacked after the birds had left because it's the sound of the chicks calling that seems to attract their attention. Do you know how many there were and are they calling in the garden?
____________________________________________________________________
Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Hi Chris,
Goodness me! All that damage in 3 minutes!! What a relief the chicks fledged beforehand. I wonder if there might be a dead chick inside that he has somehow noticed?
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Unknown said:I am quite surprised that it got attacked after the birds had left because it's the sound of the chicks calling that seems to attract their attention. Do you know how many there were and are they calling in the garden?
Hi TJ
Yes the newly fledged Blue Tits are all around the garden at the moment and still being fed by their parents.
I wonder if the GSW is hungry because the Starlings wiped out the suet cake in a few hours and I haven't replaced it.
Unknown said:You are going to need one of those metal plates over that hole now!
Hi H
Yes I'm going to have to buy one of those.
Susan H said:Goodness me! All that damage in 3 minutes!! What a relief the chicks fledged beforehand. I wonder if there might be a dead chick inside that he has somehow noticed?
Hi Sparrow
Yes I know. I was amazed. I have wondered about having a look inside but haven't yet plucked up the courage to do so, after there have been so many reports of dead chicks.
Also, last night a female Chaffinch flew into my patio window and died instantly, so I had to deal with her little body this morning. I placed her on the lawn and when I next looked she had gone.
I'm going out soon, so whether my nestbox will be in one piece when I get home is another question.
'Yes I know. I was amazed. I have wondered about having a look inside but haven't yet plucked up the courage to do so, after there have been so many reports of dead chicks.'
My advice, get OH to check while he's GSW-proofing the box:-) I know it's naughty but he's going to have to get up that ladder anyway:-)
Kezsmum said:My advice, get OH to check while he's GSW-proofing the box:-) I know it's naughty but he's going to have to get up that ladder anyway:-)
Hi Kezsmum
Thank you for your advice. OH removed the box from the wall when he came home, and put it on the lawn. With some trepidation I opened the side to find two dead, very dried up chicks, in there that were almost fully feathered. So they have been removed, and the beautiful green moss nest was given a little fluff up.
I have now filled the damage on the outside with terracotta coloured Milliput and am awaiting my copper hole coverplate to be delivered from Jacobi Jayne so that I can put that on the front. Fingers crossed the Blue Tits might use it again.
While I was placing an order, I decided to treat myself to one of These. Yes I know it was ridiculously expensive, but I have been thinking about buying one for a while now and have never seen one cheaper than this price with the £3 off. I hope OH doesn't realise how much it was.
Hi Chris
OMG, that is some amount of damage to your box - though a very attractive visitor was the culprit in your case.
We tend to add the metal ring outside the bird box hole for extra security ourselves. The last RSPB box we got had the metal surround as a feature when we bought it
That is the thing with buying things - all that temptation - you order one thing and end up with three things LOL
All for a good cause though
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Nicki C said: OMG, that is some amount of damage to your box - though a very attractive visitor was the culprit in your case.... That is the thing with buying things - all that temptation - you order one thing and end up with three things LOL
OMG, that is some amount of damage to your box - though a very attractive visitor was the culprit in your case....
Hi Kathy
Now I know how useful those beaks are!
As I was placing an order anyway, I took the opportunity to buy some more Sundrops and suet pellets as well, as the birds are eating so much food at the moment. So I needed a metal plate that costs less than £3, and spent just over £60.